The MetroStars opened preseason practice yesterday, and their deposed team captain – and disgruntled former league MVP – wasn’t there.

Amado Guevara was still in Honduras, citing visa issues and presumably sticking to his guns about not playing for the team as long as Alexi Lalas is the GM.

“If Amado wants to be a MetroStar, he needs to prove it on and off the field, and we’ll welcome him with open arms. If he doesn’t, we’ll work on [moving him],” Lalas said. “We need players who play like men and act like men, and [the same goes for] the organization. If that means sitting down and hashing things out and apologizing, doing what we have to, I’m up for all that.”

Lalas hadn’t spoken with Guevara, but said he expects the midfielder any day. If he doesn’t show up, “then he’s in violation of his contract and we’re not going to pay him.”